State Tournament Drawing (Tennessean)

[Icy]

The lone rule of the draw that set the brackets for the Division I boys basketball tournaments was that schools from the same region be on opposite sides. This is how the draw looks:

 

 

BEST DRAWS

Class A: Temple

Temple (26-5) not only drew the team in the field with the most losses ??” Cloudland (20-10) ??” but it was also bracketed opposite Manassas and Humboldt, the two favorites. Mr. Basketball finalist Jeremy Sexton and the Crusaders have a very manageable path to the final.

Class AA: Booker T. Washington

Despite outstanding teams this decade, B.T. Washington (27-2) has struggled in the postseason and squandered several opportunities to add to its 2001 championship. This year the bracket sets up nicely for the Warriors, who can??™t see a ranked team until the final.

Class AAA: Raleigh Egypt

For a loaded field, the Pharaohs (33-2) are in decent shape. White Station got the best first-round draw against Red Bank (20-14), but could get No. 1 Bearden in the next round. No. 2 Raleigh Egypt avoids both contenders until the final and is a favorite to beat Beech on Thursday.

 

WORST DRAWS

Class A: Manassas, Humboldt

Humboldt (33-0) has been ranked first and Manassas (24-2) second most of the season. Last year these two West Tennessee powers played in the sectionals, and Manassas won en route to the state final. This year one of the two favorites will be eliminated by noon Wednesday.

Class AA: Livingston Acad.

These Wildcats (32-2) are capable of winning a title, but it??™s not going to be easy. Mr. Basketball finalist Chase Dunn and Co. open with No. 6 Bolivar, a state regular that just pummeled Marshall County. Defending champion No. 3 Fulton is likely waiting in the semifinals.

Class AAA: Northeast

No favors for Coach Al Cooper??™s squad, making its first trip to state. The Eagles (26-6) must match up with a bigger and equally athletic group in Bearden, led by 6-9 center Demonte Simpson. If they pull the shocker, perennial power White Station likely awaits.

[Icy]

Good information from the Tennessean...

[rabbitranch]

Don't believe I've seen a single post from an LA or Northeast fan whineing and crying about how they were conspired against in the draw. ........... /flower.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":flower:" border="0" alt="flower.gif" /> .............

[Purple & Gold Standard]

As far as 1A goes...Thanks for stating the obvious..... /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

[BigDaddy_1]

Who cares...You got to play anyway!

 

GO LA!

[red_16]

Don't believe I've seen a single post from an LA or Northeast fan whineing and crying about how they were conspired against in the draw. ........... /flower.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":flower:" border="0" alt="flower.gif" /> .............

 

 

In AA and AAA, there are no two teams that are head and shoulders above the rest of the field...You'll more than likely find out in a couple of days that Manassas and Humboldt are much more talented than the rest of the teams in the class A tournament...

[up2late]

In AA and AAA, there are no two teams that are head and shoulders above the rest of the field...You'll more than likely find out in a couple of days that Manassas and Humboldt are much more talented than the rest of the teams in the class A tournament...

 

 

 

If this is true.... why even have the A tournament? Just let Manassas and Humboldt play for the championship and the other six teams can just stay home. Save some money in these hard economic times.

 

/blush.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" /> I'd almost be afraid to make a statement like that, red. It is March, you know.

[rabbitranch]

In AA and AAA, there are no two teams that are head and shoulders above the rest of the field...You'll more than likely find out in a couple of days that Manassas and Humboldt are much more talented than the rest of the teams in the class A tournament...

 

Opinions are like that 'little round thing' under a dogs tail. ..Everybody has one.............Until the final buzzer has sounded in the championship game, your opinion is just that............................an opinion!............ /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

[adsmom86]

Opinions are like that 'little round thing' under a dogs tail. ..Everybody has one.............Until the final buzzer has sounded in the championship game, your opinion is just that............................an opinion!............ /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

 

Right back at ya /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

[red_16]

If this is true.... why even have the A tournament? Just let Manassas and Humboldt play for the championship and the other six teams can just stay home. Save some money in these hard economic times.

 

/blush.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" /> I'd almost be afraid to make a statement like that, red. It is March, you know.

 

 

This is my opinion...If I'm wrong and someone other than Humboldt or Manassas wins it, then I'll sure have a lot of crow on my plate and I'm fine with that...I'm not going to get on here and rub it in the Middle and East Tn fans' faces if Humboldt or Manassas win it either...It's simply my opinion that Manassas and Humboldt are THAT good..

 

Upsets definitely do happen, especially this time of year...That's why they play the game...I just feel like Humboldt and Manassas should not only be the best teams in this tournament, but also capable of competing at the AA level...From what I've seen from teams in West and Middle TN this year, I know that Humboldt could and I feel pretty confident that Manassas could as well even though I've only seen them play once this season..